Gabriel Agbonlahor RSS feedhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/gabriel-agbonlahor
en12 of the weirdest transfer rumours we've heard this summerWell they dont call it silly season for no reason, do they? Only on Thursday was Mario Balotelli linked with Port Vale. Like, for real... Elliott Griffithshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/12-weirdest-transfer-rumours-weve-heard-summer
Transfer talk is a source of misguided optimism and confusion for many, and those pesky ITKs certainly don’t make things any better.
Still, there’s been some bizarre ‘legit’ rumours so far this summer – legit being from so-called reputable sources that surely, surely wouldn’t make a thing up to sell a few rags or get clicks. Right?
1. Joe Allen to Manchester United
Allen was the subject of much speculation after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, but Jurgen Klopp was willing to listen to offers for the 'Welsh Xavi' (goddammit, Brendan). Manchester United were linked with the Welsh midfielder (by lots of newspapers claiming they’d seen links elsewhere, in a vicious circle of chatter) but after Stoke beat them to the signing, they went for Paul Pogba instead. Maybe.
2. Reece Oxford to RB Leipzig
Oxford has been linked with moves away from West Ham ever since his debut as a 16-year-old last August, but most of those have been to the usual suspects – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and such. The strangest link came via Germany's most hated club, newly promoted RB Leipzig, who in their attempts to make English people dislike them too tried to bag one of the country’s hottest talents with a £20,000-per-week contract (so said 'Sky Sources' anyway, aka Twitter). He’s gone nowhere.
3. Pepe Reina to Liverpool
In a desperate attempt to avoid playing Simon Mignolet, and before the capture of professional Instagram model Loris Karius, Liverpool looked at taking Reina back to Anfield according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Spanish keeper, who played over 250 times for the Merseyside outfit, was also the source of speculation he’d offered himself to Barcelona but responded furiously on Twitter to the suggestions. “Bulls***!” he squealed.
4. Anderson Talisca, Luisao to Wolves
Turns out these weren’t so ridiculous after all. On Thursday Luisao – of 473 Benfica appearances, 44 Brazil caps and five Primeira Liga titles – was reported in London to complete his move to Molineux.
He’s now 35 but looks set to land a final payday to the tune of £50,000 per week in the Championship. Wolves were bought by a Chinese conglomerate with ties to Jorge Mendes, and have duly snapped up three Portuguese players since.
The highly rated Anderson Talisca, however, doesn’t look like he’ll be joining the orange revolution. Despite a reported £20m bid it seems the 22-year-old didn’t fancy taking his next big career step into English football’s second tier. Weirdo.
5. Hal Robson-Kanu to Atletico Madrid
Robson-Kanu was deemed surplus to requirements by Championship side Reading but after his glorious Cruyff-turn-and-finish that dumped Belgium out of the Euros, he was a wanted man. Well, apparently.
The oddest rumour linked him with Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid, famous for recent sharp-shooters in Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa, Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres (the first time) and Antoine Griezmann. Diego Simeone probably decided Robson-Kanu and his 30 Reading goals in seven seasons wouldn’t fit in.
6. James Rodriguez to West Ham
Another man who knows about special international tournament goals, James found himself linked with overly confident West Ham by The Independent.
Though determined to sign every single player out of their reach, the Hammers finished up with Andre Ayew who duly got himself crocked on debutfor four months.
7. Rafael van der Vaart to Reading
With over 100 caps, 25 international goals and spells at Real Madrid and Tottenham to his name, the Dutchman’s CV had Royals fans purring – but a reunion with former Holland team-mate Jaap Stam wasn't to be.
Despite talks, according to getreading, Van der Vaart ended up at FC Midtjylland after an awful spell at Real Betis in which he played only seven La Liga games. Perhaps a bullet dodged.
8. Radamel Falcao to Middlesbrough
Back in 2012, Falcao secured his place as arguably the top marksman in Europe, when he beat Petr Cech four times in a 4-1 Super Cup win over Chelsea. Two serious injuries and as many disappointing spells in England later, and the Colombian found himself “offered to” Aitor Karanka’s newly promoted Middlesbrough, according to The Telegraph.
Alvaro Negredo was deemed a better choice, and Falcao has stayed put at Monaco.
9. Salomon Rondon to Barcelona
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are really, really good. So good, in fact, that they are irreplaceable. How to even try to do that? You sign a player who fits your style of play, one used to featuring in a free-flowing, attacking team like... Tony Pulis's West Brom. Of course!
Luis Enrique can’t play his star trio every week, and there is a genuine keenness in Catalonia to find a Plan B this summer. The Mirror say Barça are “monitoring” the Baggies hitman, after being knocked back by Kevin Gameiro and Nolito.
10. Lorenzo Insigne to Newcastle
Reality has bit the Magpies hard in a Championship season that started off with losses to Fulham and Huddersfield. Still, it hasn’t stopped fans dreaming of some far-fetched transfers with Rafa in charge.
Italian newspaper Il Mattino suggested they’d made an attractive £25m (!) offer for Lorenzo Insigne, who played under Benitez at Napoli, but the pint-sized forward might have been a step too far after a personal best 12 goals in Serie A and place in its team of the year.
11. Robin van Persie to Rangers
Fenerbahce man Van Persie has been linked with a whole host of clubs this summer: Stoke, Middlesbrough, Sporting among others.
He remains in Turkey for now, but last month bookies suspended betting on a move to Scottish giants Rangers. Odds shortened to 1/5, but the Dutch hitman never moved to Ibrox. It’s the move he wanted, according to the man himself. Back in 2002, that is.
12. Gabriel Agbonlahor to Coventry
Agbonlahor had scored in every Premier League season since 2005/06, back when Juan Pablo Angel, Patrick Berger, Milan Baros and Eric Djemba-Djemba still wore claret and blue. Villa fans' goodwill towards the England international has waned, though, after a dreadful 2015/16 in which he was stripped of the captaincy and suspended.
Roberto Di Matteo has allegedly told the 29-year-old he isn’t required this season, so when an Agbonlahor Instagram post allegedly sent from Coventry station sparked a Twitter frenzy, Sky Blues fans got their hopes up (they’ve been harshly treated, let them off). This was, however, despite the fact it said ‘on route [sic] to the capital city’. Never mind.
On route to capital city... A photo posted by Gabriel Agbonlahor (@ga11official) on Aug 7, 2016 at 11:58am PDT
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featureFri, 19 Aug 2016 13:19:43 +0000Joe Brewin615458 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgbonlahor’s highlights reel just footage of him eating rotisserie chickenThe Aston Villa strikers video shows his hunger and desire,Back of the Netexplains...Back of the Nethttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/agbonlahors-highlights-reel-just-footage-him-eating-rotisserie-chicken
Gabriel Agbonlahor has admitted that the phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook since he started sending a portfolio video to potential new clubs, which contains footage of the striker devouring an entire roast chicken.
It was a bleak season for the 29-year-old who was pictured inhaling laughing gas to brighten up several duller fixtures –a habit which led to him being incapacitated by giggles when put through on goal for the Villans’ sole scoring chance of the season.
Later in the campaign it was revealed that Agbonlahor had lost an unprecedented hectare of pace; the player’s conditioning was called into question, with some even suggesting it may be time for him to stop bringing a disposable barbecue to games.
After Villa’s relegation, and with his relationship with the fans becoming toxic, Agbonlahor is expected to move on –but he has been surprised by a lack of offers.
“We did receive a video from Gabby, but it wasn’t wholly convincing,” a source at an unnamed Premier League club [Bournemouth] told FFT.
“In fact it consisted of him munching his way through an entire chicken, giblets and all, with only the occasional slight pause to take a swig of Coke or make an alimony payment.”
Hungry for success
It’s not yet clear whether Agbonlahor’s video was sent in error, or whether the marksman believes it's the best demonstration of his skills he has at his disposal after a season with few highlights.
“It’s really hard to see where he’d fit in with us. But I’ve asked the gaffer [Eddie Howe] whether he needs a job done in that regard [eating chicken], and he makes the technical decisions,” our source explained.
“For what it’s worth he’s clearly not afraid to get stuck in [to a chicken carcass] and if anything he steps up a gear when [the chicken meat] gets tough. His finishing [of the chicken] is exemplary, and I suppose we could extrapolate this out and say that if he can pick clean that chicken carcass then he can deliver a couple of goals against Stoke.”
There had been reports last week that a major English club had made an approach to Agbonlahor, but further details have emerged that suggest the club in question was in fact Portuguese/Mozambican-influenced casual dining chain Nando’s, and the contact was merely a standard promotional leaflet.
Please note: This satirical news story is not real. But you already knew that, right?
More features every day on FFT.com • More Back of the Net
featureThu, 19 May 2016 09:54:28 +0000Joe Brewin574448 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgbonlahor steps down as Aston Villa captainAston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has given up the role of captain after pictures emerged of him partying after the club's relegation.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agbonlahor-steps-down-aston-villa-captain
Gabriel Agbonlahor has apologised to Aston Villa fans for his recent problems off the field and stepped down as club captain.
The striker, 29, is set to return from his second suspension of the season after allegedly being pictured using laughing gas while partying with friends just hours after Villa were relegated to the Championship having lost at Manchester United.
Agbonlahor announced the news on Instagram, writing: "I want to begin with an apology to all Aston Villa fans for my actions in recent weeks, especially at a time when it is devastating for everyone involved with the club.
"I am stepping down as club captain with immediate effect as I do not deserve to carry out the role anymore. This role was a huge honour to me and it hurts to have lost it.
"I am asking Aston Villa fans for forgiveness as I'm hurting as well despite reports and photos in the press making out otherwise."
Agbonlahor is the longest-serving player at Villa, but has received criticism for his performances this season and was put on a personal fitness regime after returning from a March holiday to Dubai out of shape, which had earned him another suspension while the matter was investigated.
He added: "I agree my performances this season have not been good enough but I will be working hard to make things right. Up The Villa, Villa Till I Die!"
I want to begin with an apology to all Aston Villa fans for my actions in recent weeks, especially at a time when it is devastating for everyone involved with the club. I am stepping down as club captain with immediate effect as I do not deserve to carry out such a role anymore. This role was a huge honour to me and it hurts to have lost it. I have spent 16 years at Aston Villa and played some memorable games. My celebrations and passion, especially in games against local rivals shows my loyalty to Aston Villa. I am asking Aston Villa fans for forgiveness as I'm hurting as well despite reports and photos in the press making out otherwise. I agree my performances this season have not been good enough but I will be working hard to make things right! Up The Villa, Villa Till I Die! I would also like to add; numerous fake social media accounts and have been created using my name. This is my official Instagram and I do not use Twitter or Facebook.
A photo posted by Gabriel Agbonlahor (@ga11official) on Apr 28, 2016 at 7:20am PDT
Villa released a statement on Thursday confirming the player's decision to give up the captaincy and revealing he had received a heavy fine.
Agbonlahor, who has only scored one Premier League goal all season, will miss Saturday's trip to Watford before returning to training on Monday.
The statement read: "Aston Villa can confirm the investigation concerning Gabby Agbonlahor's conduct has reached a conclusion.
"The player has received a substantial fine and been reminded of his responsibilities as a professional footballer at Aston Villa.
"His suspension is now lifted and he will be available for selection from Monday. Gabby has also advised he wishes to relinquish the role of club captain."
news_articleThu, 28 Apr 2016 16:14:46 +0000Anonymous565896 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla suspend Agbonlahor amid newspaper allegationsGabriel Agbonlahor has again been suspended by Aston Villa, following allegations in national newspapers over his conduct.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-suspend-agbonlahor-amid-newspaper-allegations
Aston Villa have suspended striker Gabriel Agbonlahor following newspaper allegations that he took laughing gas at a party on the day the club were relegated from the Premier League.
A report in The Sun claims Agbonlahor, 29, partied with friends following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, which finally confirmed Villa's demotion to the Championship.
Villa on Tuesday announced they had suspended their longest-serving player while an internal investigation took place.
A club statement read: "Aston Villa Football Club has today suspended Gabby Agbonlahor pending an internal investigation.
"This is following allegations concerning his conduct at the weekend.
"There will be no further comment from the club in relation to this matter until the investigation has been completed."
It is the second time this month Agbonlahor has been suspended by Villa, the first coming when he was pictured holding a shisha pipe while on holiday in Dubai.
Villa opted not to take further action on that occasion and his suspension was lifted, but the forward has not featured since the 1-0 defeat at Swansea City on March 19 due to concerns over his fitness.
Last week, caretaker boss Eric Black confirmed that Agbonlahor will be unavailable for two weeks after it was agreed the former England international should undergo a personal fitness programme.
It has been a dismal season for Villa, who have won just three Premier League matches, while fans have also protested against the running of the club by owner Randy Lerner.
news_articleTue, 19 Apr 2016 11:41:48 +0000Anonymous561849 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla prescribe fitness work for AgbonlahorGabriel Agbonlahor will not feature in Aston Villa's forthcoming games after the former England forward was given personal fitness work.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-prescribe-fitness-work-agbonlahor
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor will be unavailable for the next two weeks as he undergoes a personal fitness programme.
Agbonlahor missed last weekend's defeat to AFC Bournemouth, which all but relegated the Premier League's bottom club, due to a virus and he also sat out against Chelsea as an internal investigation was held into his conduct while on a break in Dubai.
Villa took no further action against Agbonlahor over photographs allegedly showing him to be smoking a shisha pipe but interim manager Eric Black will once again leave the team's longest serving player on the sidelines after deciding he needs to resolve fitness issues.
"Last week I didn't want Gabby to come in with a virus and be around the other players," Black said at a news conference.
"Gabby and I had a meeting on Monday. We've decided he'll work separately from the group and work on his own fitness programme. He'll follow that for the next 14 days. We felt together he needs to improve his fitness."
Agbonlahor is set to miss Saturday's trip to Manchester United, a match in which Villa could already be relegated if Norwich City take a point off relegation rivals Sunderland in the early kick-off.
The match against Southampton on April 23 also falls under the period of his fitness programme, but Agbonlahor could be up to speed for the final three matches of the season against Watford, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
The 29-year-old former England international has a solitary goal to his name in 15 Premier League appearances this season.
news_articleThu, 14 Apr 2016 14:09:07 +0000Anonymous559391 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNo Villa action over Agbonlahor holiday controversyAston Villa will have Gabriel Agbonlahor available for their run-in after an investigation into his Dubai holiday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/no-villa-action-over-agbonlahor-holiday-controversy
Gabriel Agbonlahor will face no further action after Aston Villa held an investigation into his conduct while on holiday in Dubai during the recent international break.
Pictures of the forward appearing to hold a shisha pipe during his holiday surfaced in the media last week.
Agbonlahor was subsequently suspended as the club carried out an investigation and he was absent for Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Villa Park, with interim manager Eric Black hoping to avoid "a Gabby Agbonlahor circus".
On Tuesday, the club posted on Twitter: "Aston Villa Football Club has completed its investigation into Gabby Agbonlahor's trip to Dubai over the international break.
"The club will be taking no further action."
Aston Villa Football Club has completed its investigation into Gabby Agbonlahor's trip to Dubai over the international break. 1/2
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 5, 2016
The Club will be taking no further action. 2/2
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 5, 2016
Other results over the weekend left Villa 15 points from safety with just six games to play and facing an almost certain relegation to the Championship.
news_articleTue, 05 Apr 2016 11:02:26 +0000Anonymous555348 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla suspend Agbonlahor over shisha pipe controversyPictures of Gabriel Agbonlahor on holiday during the international break have landed the Aston Villa striker in trouble.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-suspend-agbonlahor-over-shisha-pipe-controversy
Aston Villa have suspended Gabriel Agbonlahor while they carry out an internal investigation into his conduct.
Pictures of the forward appearing to hold a shisha pipe while on holiday in Dubai during the recent international break surfaced in the media this week.
The club have confirmed he will play no part in Saturday's game against Premier League champions Chelsea while they look into the matter.
Team news: An internal investigation is currently underway. While this is being conducted, Gabby Agbonlahor will not feature. #AVFC
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) April 1, 2016
Villa are 12 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premier League and parted company with manager Remi Garde on Tuesday.
A club statement posted on Twitter read: "Gabby Agbonlahor will not be involved in Saturday’s early afternoon clash with @ChelseaFC.
"An internal investigation is currently underway. While this is being conducted, Gabby Agbonlahor will not feature."
news_articleFri, 01 Apr 2016 08:54:35 +0000Anonymous553265 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgbonlahor can help Villa fight to the end - GardeGabriel Agbonlahor can help Aston Villa "fight until the end" after the striker scored his first goal of the season, Remi Garde has said.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agbonlahor-can-help-villa-fight-end-garde
Remi Garde hailed the impact of Gabriel Agbonlahor after the striker's first Premier League goal of the season helped seal a 2-0 home win against Norwich City.
Agbonlahor had not found the net since March but he raced on to a throughball by Jordan Veretout to beat Declan Rudd and double Villa's lead after Joleon Lescott had opened the scoring with a header on Saturday.
Villa are still eight points from safety but their third league victory of the campaign closed the gap on 19th-placed Sunderland to just four points.
And Garde was pleased for Agbonlahor, the 29-year-old striker having started just nine of Villa's 25 league matches in an injury-hit season.
"He scored the kind of goal he likes to score, the ball behind the defensive line, a good ball from Jordan Veretout and then Gabby, he scored brilliantly on this occasion," Garde said.
"I have also to say that he worked very hard for the team for 90 minutes, like he did at the West Ham game.
"We have 14 games to go and hopefully Gabby will be the one to come and help the team to fight until the end.
"He was not available for me for a long time because of injuries. It was the main problem with Gabby.
"As soon as he has been available he has been playing for the team.
"I'm pleased that he's back on the track, for the team and for us, and scoring was very important probably for him because I know when you are a striker and you are not scoring for a long, long time it's very painful.
"But it's not only about Gabby, it's about all the players around him and the team spirit."
Villa are at home to Liverpool in the Premier League next Sunday.news_articleSun, 07 Feb 2016 08:51:16 +0000Anonymous516616 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGarde: Villa fighting hard for survivalRemi Garde praised the attitude and fighting spirit of his Aston Villa side after their crucial 2-0 win at home to Norwich City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/garde-villa-fighting-hard-survival
Manager Remi Garde is hoping Aston Villa's fighting spirit can get them out of Premier League trouble after a 2-0 home win against Norwich City boosted their slim survival hopes.
Villa remain rock-bottom of the Premier League but are now eight points from safety after goals from Joleon Lescott and Gabby Agbonlahor sealed a potentially vital three points.
Afterwards, Garde insisted the attitude of his players has been much improved in recent fixtures, which is finally now yielding an upturn in their fortunes.
"For a long time now, we are playing that way," he said. "For a few weeks now, we have the right attitude, everybody is fighting very hard for the team.
"This is something you can rely on and build something.
"After that you can play football. You can speak about football, but if you have not got this base it is very difficult to win Premier League games."
Garde added that while it was important to record only Villa's third Premier League win of the season, he was still unconvinced by their first-half performance.
"It is very important for us to have three points more, but I'm not sure we played our best football, especially in the first 45 minutes," the Frenchman added.
"Norwich played well, defended very well, pressured us high on the pitch and we had some problems to play our football.
"Then we scored just before half-time from a set-piece. I was very pleased for us.
"When the players behave like they did today - fighting all together, showing a very good spirit - this is the way the fans want us to behave."news_articleSat, 06 Feb 2016 19:10:41 +0000Anonymous516428 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAston Villa 2 Norwich City 0: Garde's men boost survival hopes with vital three pointsGoals from Joleon Lescott and Gabby Agbonlahor either side of half-time gave Aston Villa a vital 2-0 home win against Norwich Cityhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aston-villa-2-norwich-city-0-gardes-men-boost-survival-hopes-vital-three-points
Aston Villa gave their slim Premier League survival hopes a huge boost with a 2-0 home win against relegation rivals Norwich City.
Remi Garde's side had only won twice in the league this season prior to Saturday's clash at Villa Park, but goals from Joleon Lescott and Gabby Agbonlahor in a six-minute spell either side of half-time earned the bottom side a vital three points, although Villa remain eight points adrift of safety.
Villa took the lead a minute before the interval when Lescott got above Dieumerci Mbokani to head home, with a deflection off Timm Klose diverting the ball though Declan Rudd's legs.
It was 2-0 up after 51 minutes when Agbonlahor ran on to a pinpoint throughball from Jordan Veretout to net his first goal since March.
Sebastien Bassong and Gary O'Neil had Norwich's best chances and Lescott and Jores Okore cleared shots off the line, but the visitors slumped to a sixth successive defeat to drop into the bottom three by virtue of Newcastle United beating West Brom.
Alex Neil made four changes from Norwich's 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Tuesday, with O'Neil returning from a three-match ban, while Garde recalled Ashley Westwood in place of the suspended Jordan Ayew.
With heavy rain making conditions tricky at Villa Park, the hosts had the first sight of goal after 10 minutes. Leandro Bacuna found space on the right and fired in a low cross, but Agbonlahor could only divert the ball wide.
Mbokani tested Mark Bunn after 19 minutes with a fierce drive and the Villa goalkeeper parried the 20-yard powerful effort away to safety, before Steven Naismith dragged a shot just wide.
Norwich were well on top and Bassong should have given them the lead, but he headed Russell Martin's cross into the ground and over the crossbar after Idrissa Gueye had given possession away cheaply in midfield.
Robbie Brady's 20-yard effort was comfortably dealt with by Bunn after 34 minutes as both teams struggled to create clear openings, but Villa took the lead out of nothing on the stroke of half-time.
Lescott shook off his marker Mbokani at the back post and headed in Carles Gil's free-kick, via a touch off Klose, to score Villa's first Premier League goal in a first half in 10 matches.
Agbonlahor hit a shot straight at Rudd after 50 minutes, but the striker beat the Norwich goalkeeper moments later to double Villa's lead.
Veretout slipped a throughball in behind the Norwich back line and Agbonlahor raced on to the pass to slot in his first Premier League goal of the season, though Rudd made the finish simple by committing early.
O'Neil could have grabbed a goal back after 62 minutes, but shot wide after great work by Naismith, before Bacuna fired over from 10 yards.
Okore and Lescott made key goalline clearances, but, despite Norwich's late pressure, Villa held on to secure a priceless victory that could prove to be a turning point in their survival battle.news_articleSat, 06 Feb 2016 17:05:40 +0000Anonymous516356 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGarde: Door not shut for AgbonlahorRemi Garde is willing to start a clean slate with Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/garde-door-not-shut-agbonlahor
Aston Villa manager Remi Garde is open to fresh talks with striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after leaving the striker out of last week's squad.
Agbonlahor was a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at Southampton on December 5 but did not even make the bench for last week's 2-0 home loss to Arsenal and has reportedly made his feelings known about Garde's training regime.
However, Garde has not closed the door on the out-of-favour 29-year-old.
"For Gabby and for the rest of the team, you know when you change manager, when you change the way of working, when things chance maybe suddenly, you don't feel comfortable," Garde said.
"I feel the choice is there for the moment, but when a player is not selected in the team, like Gabby is for last time, obviously it creates a little bit of disagreement.
"But disagreements in life or mistakes in life are not definite. Sometimes with disagreements or mistakes you learn and then you say okay, have a discussion and then a new start."
Agbonlahor has struggled for form thus far this season, failing to score a single goal.
Villa - bottom of the table - continue their fight against relegation with a trip to Newcastle on Saturday.news_articleFri, 18 Dec 2015 03:16:50 +0000Anonymous494854 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSherwood would consider N'Zogbia exitAfter falling out of favour at Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia would be allowed to leave Villa Park if the deal was right says Tim Sherwood.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sherwood-would-consider-nzogbia-exit
Tim Sherwood would consider offers for Charles N'Zogbia before the transfer deadline after the winger fell down the pecking order at Aston Villa.
N'Zogbia was part of Sherwood's Villa Park revolution in the second half of last season as the club preserved their Premier League status and reached the FA Cup final, but he has yet to feature this term.
While Sherwood is in no hurry to see the former Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United wideman leave, he admits N'Zogbia is unlikely to see regular football at Villa following a host of close-season arrivals.
"Charles is a good lad," the manager told The Birmingham Mail. "I have never had a problem with him.
"He is training with the group and he is applying himself very well. When I think it is time for him to get a place in the side he will.
"I was looking for experience from him last season and he certainly had that, he is still there and if I need him, I know I can lean on him.
"He is not going to play on a regular basis here so if something becomes attractive to him here then we can have a conversation and will talk about it."
Sherwood has rejected talk of Gabriel Agbonlahor leaving Villa Park, though, despite the striker failing to score in any of his last 11 matches - a run that stretches back to mid-March.
"He [Agbonlahor] has a huge part to play because we bought a lot of new boys into the club," Sherwood added. "The likes of him and Ciaran Clark and [Ashley] Westwood have a crucial part role to play in that dressing room this year.
"I don't underestimate the role he plays at this club and it is crucial for a manager to have some lieutenants, and he is one of them."news_articleMon, 31 Aug 2015 11:54:39 +0000Anonymous445972 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgbonlahor excited by 'dream' Gestede partnershipRudy Gestede's early performances for Aston Villa have already convinced Gabriel Agbonlahor they will form a lethal partnership this season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agbonlahor-excited-dream-gestede-partnership
Gabriel Agbonlahor believes there are exciting times ahead at Aston Villa as his strike partnership with Rudy Gestede begins to develop.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Gestede was signed to replace the departed Christian Benteke before the start of the Premier League campaign, and scored the winning goal on his debut against Bournemouth.
Although their partnership is only two games old, Agbonlahor has already seen plenty of potential in Gestede and predicts they will flourish alongside each other.
"I don't think there are many defenders that are going to be able to jump with him," Agbonlahor told the Birmingham Mail. "He's that good.
"He's probably the best I've seen and played with in terms of aerial presence.
"He's my dream sort of player to play with and I'm looking forward to playing with him more.
"He's a nice guy off the pitch too. He's a very humble guy and he works hard so he ticks all the boxes."news_articleMon, 17 Aug 2015 14:21:59 +0000Anonymous438386 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgbonlahor could be fit for Villa semi-finalAston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor could be fit enough to feature inSundays FA Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agbonlahor-could-be-fit-villa-semi-final
Agbonlahor picked up a hamstring injury during last weekend's 1-0 Premier League victory at Tottenham, with manager Tim Sherwood claiming the frontman would struggle to recover in time.
While defender Ciaran Clark (knee) will miss out, Agbonlahor's situation is described as "touch and go" and Sherwood hopes to partner him with Christian Benteke at Wembley.
"Ciaran Clark suffered a medial ligament injury last week so is out," said Sherwood."We're going to wait until the last possible minute to assess Gabby Agbonlahor.
"Agbonlahor and Benteke work together. Gabby has great pace and we're looking to utilise that if he's fit.
"The Liverpool backline will certainly take a couple of steps back if he's on the pitch."
Meanwhile, Sherwood also confirmed Shay Given would retain his position as Villa's FA Cup goalkeeper.
"He's done nothing wrong," added Sherwood."He's a big reason why we're in this semi-final with the saves he made against Leicester."
news_articleFri, 17 Apr 2015 13:46:37 +0000Anonymous376674 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVilla duo doubtful for Liverpool semi-finalAston Villa will likely be without Ciaran Clark and Gabriel Agbonlahor for Sundays FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool after picking up injuries on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-duo-doubtful-liverpool-semi-final
The pair wereforced off during Villa's 1-0 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane - a Premier League encounter settled by Christian Benteke's first-half header as Tim Sherwood enjoyed a winning return to his former club.
However, injuries in either half to Clarke and Agbonlahor look set to rule them out of next weekend's trip to Wembley, while Carlos Sanchez's red card sees him miss out with suspension.
Asked whether Clarke and Agbonlahor arestruggling to feature, Sherwood told reporters:"It looks like it, which is a real shame because it's a massive day out.
"Ciaran Clark came off with a medial knee ligament problem but I thought [Nathan] Baker did brilliantly when he came on, considering he's not played much. Gabby has tweaked his hamstring."
Two second-half yellow cards saw Sanchez earn a late red card, the latter of which came about after a foul on Danny Rose when Spurs were pressing for an equaliser.
"At first I thought he was being clever,with Man City away coming up, but someone reminded him it's the semi-final [he misses]," Sherwood joked.
"He's sacrificed himself for the side, he's probably never played at Wembley and he's going tomiss a semi-final.
"He did it for the cause and we have to applaud that - their momentum was forward, he had to make the tackle. We're sorry for Carlos but we're very grateful.
"If we hadn't won [at Spurs]I wouldn't have enjoyed it but I show a lot of respect to the FA Cup, it's the greatest competition there is apart from the Premier League.
"We were never going tochuck it but we can concentrate on that onemillion per cent."
news_articleSun, 12 Apr 2015 09:52:33 +0000Anonymous374296 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com